About Me

Hello my name is Fr. Ryan Browning. I am a priest in the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois. I am currently the associate pastor at St. Bridget in Loves Park. I was ordained a priest 22 June 2013 by Bishop David Malloy.

Who I Am

I am a former golf professional turned priest. I played college golf at Southern Illinois University. After college I became a club professional in Evansville, Indiana and later in West Palm Beach, Florida. During my time in college I fell away from the practice of my Catholic faith. While in Florida my personal life hit rock bottom. I was living the way of the world and I was miserable.

​I moved to Batavia, Illinois to be closer to family and get a new start. Being close to Mom meant that I started going back to Mass. About one and half years going back to Mass, I thought I should find a good Catholic girl to marry. I met a young lady in a nearby town and she invited me to a young adult group. When I showed up for the group, only a few days before Christmas, I quickly discovered that it was a parish penance service (you know, the thing with 10 priests sitting around the Church with Gregorian Chant playing in the background).

At this point, I had not been to confession in about 14 years. I figured everyone else was going, so I should. God works with even the weakest intentions. I have to say that is the watershed moment of my life. After that I began to study my faith. I began going to daily Mass a few months later during Lent and doing a Holy Hour everyday in the Adoration chapel. It has been an amazing journey so far, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store.

​You can listen to my conversion story here starting at the 29:05 mark.